"Sew Biz" posts are topics that I periodically write that take on a tone that can focus on tips for good business practices, for those "in the business". But they can also share insights for consumers by highlighting businesses with great business practices, products and service. Today, I have a bit of both perspectives to share with you.
As I thought about writing this post, it made me think of what a perfect topic for a college case study. While this won't be as detailed as a case study, I will share my top ten list for what makes a premiere quilt shop (online), while recognizing the wonderful contributions that "The Fat Quarter Shop" has given to our world of quilting. To clarify, this isn't a paid advertisement, just a topic I'm passionate about and I do feel The Fat Quarter Shop would make a great case study, but for the purposes of this post, I'll try to simplify and share insights on why I think they stand out in a marketplace that has many wonderful businesses.
Kimberly and Kevin Jolly have built an premiere online quilt shop, with the help of a talented staff that loves quilting and quilters. It is easy to understand that they are appreciated customers from around the world and respected by many businesses too. They actually make a great role model for many businesses. So, today, my post is all about recognizing The Fat Quarter Shop.
Here is my list of top ten signs of a premiere online quilt shop:
#1 - New Products: Every day the Fat Quarter Shop releases new products and has one of the best selections of new products that I've ever seen. You can always fine their new products easily on the page labeled "What's New".
#2 The "Coming Soon" page provides insights on products that will soon be released and does a great job setting expectations on when these new products will come available.
#3 Great website that is well organized, great visuals, and easy to navigate. The Fat Quarter Shop's website is a roll model to any quilt shop that wants to increase traffic, sales, customer loyalty for virtual sales and/or virtual communication with customers.
The Fat Quarter Shop has a high google ranking, which helps to ensure that various internet searches will show your business on the first page of a search. How this has been achieved is worthy of another case study, or SEW BIZ posting, so for now I'll simply say they are a roll model that deserve recognition for being the best of the best.
#4 Excellent Newsletter that is exciting, fun and insightful. And they also have a wonderful Christmas Cloth Newsletter that shares insights on Christmas fabrics, projects, sales and everything you need to get ready for the Christmas holidays.
#5 Large product selection of current products. Fabrics are selected from all major manufacturers, from Benartex, Hoffman, Moda, RJR, Robert Kaufman and many more. They also have a great selection of quilt patterns and kits and all at great prices.
#6 The Fat Quarter Shop is an active participant in social networking. They have a wonderful blog called the "Jolly Jabber" that is always sharing great insights and having fun giveaways. They actively chat with fans on their Facebook page and also on Twitter, where every Wednesday they also announce a special for their fans.
The Fat Quarter Shop has also been an excellent sponsor of various blogs for virtual quilt shows and other events. They always giveaway wonderful prizes, of which the lucky winners always love their prizes and respective bloggers always appreciate having FQS as a sponsor. Clearly, they are very active in social media.
#7 They always have amazing Sales and update their sales page frequently.
#8 A large selection of seasonal fabrics, always with the newest releases available.
#9 Great customer service and same day shipping for all orders placed by 3pm CST.
#10 Exclusive kits and products that you can't find anyplace else. And they have several different quilt clubs and Block of the Month programs.
I can certainly understand why the Fat Quarter Shop won the Golden Quilter Award for Best Quilt Store (online) for 2011 and for 2010.
I know there are many more examples that would be great to include in a case study of the Fat Quarter Shop, for being a roll model of Best Quilt Store (online). I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Christmas Cloth Store
2 comments:
You forgot to mention that they are always getting their name out there by sponsoring giveaways on lots of blogs. Every time I turn around, they are giving away gift certificates or fat quarter bundles. They seem to be a very generous company which is another reason they love their customers and attract new customers every day.
They also donate to charitable causes! Kimberly has made two very generous fabric donations to my local chapter of Quilts for Kids!! They're my favorite online quilt shop for all of those reasons. The fabric I've ordered has always been cut straight, too, so I don't lose much when squaring up my fabric! :)
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